What is the Stereotype Buster award for?
This award celebrates those that do things their own way and prove that narrow stereotypes cannot adequately describe the human experience. The winner will be someone who motivates others, simply by being their authentic self, to challenge mainstream perceptions of gender, class, race, sexuality, disability, or any societal norm.
Many thanks to the 2023 sponsors:
Stereotype Buster Award 2023
Congratulations to the winner…
Elizabeth Bonker
Elizabeth Bonker has challenged the wider world to reconsider their misconceptions about non speakers. As many non speaking people will tell you they are often infantilised and disregarded because of their communication differences.
Elizabeth Bonker has not only captured the interest of a vast audience through her viral speech but she has also now turned that into a career and people continue to be very interested in what she has to say. The org she has started will continue this and help other Autistic non speakers to have that same opportunity.
And the highly commended finalist…
Becca Lory Hector
Becca has documented the first-few steps of her journey to becoming a “Stereotype Buster.” On her website (beccalory.com), she describes how she coped with her later-in-life diagnosis and how she learned to live her life on her own autistic terms.
Becca moved to AANE to become the first autistic person to hold a director level position in this national organization. AANE, a 26-year-old national non-profit organization, helps expand Becca’s message and neurodiversity at work approach to a national audience. Known for its support of LGBTQ+ autistic adults, AANE also provides a launching pad for “Stereotype Busting” social justice initiatives.